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Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics

The Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in epidemiology and medical statistics. The programme falls under the Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 244,800
Ksh 979,200 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 979,200 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, part-time, with 12 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The curriculum covers Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Clinical Skills, Community Health. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Epidemiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapy, Anesthesiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Behavioral Sciences. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Laboratory Techniques and Safety, Research Project, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Mathematics for Sciences. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Clinical Practice, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing & Midwifery. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics pursue careers as Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior), Research Data Analyst (Junior), Research Scientist, Research Program Coordinator. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Human Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Skills
  • Community Health

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Cell Biology and Genetics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Cell structure, function, division, DNA replication, gene expression, and inheritance.

  • General Chemistry

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, and chemical reactions.

  • Mathematics for Sciences

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Mathematics for Sciences: Calculus, algebra, trigonometry, and statistical methods for science students. Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.

  • Physics for Sciences

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Mechanics, waves, electricity, optics, and modern physics for science programmes.

  • Microbiology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, cultivation, and applied microbiology.

  • Research Methods and Statistics

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research Methods and Statistics: Scientific research methodology, experimental design, and statistical analysis. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and repor...

  • Laboratory Techniques and Safety

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Laboratory Techniques and Safety: Laboratory procedures, instrumentation, safety protocols, and quality control. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.

  • Environmental Science

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Environmental Science: Ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental pollution, and conservation. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.

  • Industrial Attachment

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Industrial Attachment: Supervised attachment at research institutions, laboratories, or industry. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.

  • Research Project

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Research Project: Independent research project culminating in a defended report. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

  • Clinical Practice

    Hands-on patient care in hospitals, clinics and community health settings. Students develop diagnostic, treatment and patient management skills.

  • Public Health & Epidemiology

    Focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, community health surveillance and health policy. Prepares students for roles in public health agencies and NGOs.

  • Nursing & Midwifery

    Patient care, maternal health, newborn care and community nursing. Students gain clinical skills for hospital and community practice.

  • Medical Laboratory & Diagnostics

    Laboratory techniques, diagnostic testing, pathology and biomedical analysis. Students learn to operate lab equipment and interpret results.

  • Pharmacy & Pharmacology

    Drug development, dispensing, pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical research. Students learn pharmacology, therapeutics and patient counselling.

A day as a student

A typical day blends lectures, practicals and group work, with attachment/internship in the field.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
High demand in Kenya's health sector.Long, intensive training.
Meaningful, society-impacting work.Emotionally demanding.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses
Public245k to 245k
245k at Kirinyaga University245k at Kirinyaga University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kirinyaga Univ 245K/yr (KUCCPS). Strathmore/Kabarak don't offer this. Private: null.

HELB loans, county scholarships and university bursaries available.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • Government Bursary

  • CDF Scholarship

  • County Government Scholarship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    Government fundingKenyan

    Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.

  • AMREF International University Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Health sciences students demonstrating financial need

  • Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments

Scholarships you could apply for

6 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma progression or bridging.

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

May 20272 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

September 20272 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Continuous Assessment Tests for this programme.

  • Clinical Practicum

    Practical30% of the mark

    Clinical Practicum for this programme.

  • End-of-Semester Exam

    Exam30% of the mark

    End-of-Semester Exam for this programme.

  • Research Project

    Project20% of the mark

    Research Project for this programme.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    NationalRequired

    Accredits university-level programmes.

  • Clinical Officers Council / NCK / KMPDC

    ProfessionalRequired

    Professional licensure for health practice.

Accredited by CUE and relevant professional bodies.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)

    Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.

  • Research Data Analyst (Junior)

    Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Data Analyst (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Stable.

  • Research Scientist

    Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000

    Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Scientists work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.

  • Research Program Coordinator

    Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Program Coordinators work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.

  • Marine Research Assistant (Junior)

    Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000

    Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Marine Research Assistant (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find opportunities across health sciences in Kenya's public, private and entrepreneurship sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • ChatGPT / Claude

    Ai

  • DHIS2

    DatabasePrimary

  • Google Workspace

    Cloud

  • KenyaEMR

    Medical

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • SPSS

    Analytics

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • This course has limited career prospects.

    Graduates find opportunities across the public service, private industry, entrepreneurship, and further academic study.

  • The course is too theoretical with no practical value.

    Programmes incorporate practical training, internships, and industry attachment to ensure graduates are job-ready.

  • You must have a related background to enrol.

    Most programmes accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, with bridging support where needed.

  • Graduates of this course earn very little.

    Earnings grow steadily with experience, specialisation, and professional certification.

Further reading

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